Automatic train-pipe coupling



Sept. 4,1928" mmwaa J. ROBINSON AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE COUPLING Original Filed Nov. 26. 1920 2 Sheds-Sheet 1 mvawroa M EN 53.5.

Sei. 4, ms. 1,682,936

} J. ROBINSON AUTOMATIC TRAINFIPE COUPLING Origin al Filed Nov. 26. 1920 2 sheets sheet 2 2mvarjgow. 94 EN jygy fgg I ATTQIQNEYSY JQSEIEH BOEINISQN, G1 NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC TRAIIN -P1"S?Itl CG'UPLING.

implication filed lt'ovem'oer 26, 192%), Serial No. 428,534. Renewed November 12, 1925.

My invention relates to zlltOlllfilllO trein pipe couplings end-hes among its ob ects to provide a simple and improved support such couplings in which the resistance to movement of the coupling head is uced to :1 minimum. An especial object or my invention is to provide means for adjusting the universal joint in the bracket whereby the distance between the coupling head and such goint may be varied. A. fury Figure is side elevation of? my improvement.

2 is a plan view of my improvement showing section certain parts of the universal joint. in this view the coupling d A is omitted pile 3 is e rear view of my improvement the coupling head A omitted.

l gure a front view of the bracket and universal joint of my invention taken on the line 44: of Figure 1, end

Fiflure 5 is a front view of the bracket uni the pivot device of my invention taken the line 5-5 oi? Figure l, terrinu now to the drawings: Any suitcouplii'ig head A may be carried by improved support. it prefer head of the type shown, having guiding w ngs 6 and a centrally disposed port or opening threaded to T to threadiugly receive the curved hollow fitting or conduit 8 of my improve-- ment, and suitably carrying at its lorwerd end in the plane of the face of the coupling heed gsslret A pair of spaced members or straps l8 lying; preferably in the honzontul plane terminate at their forward end in the conduit 8 and at theirreur end in a flange or projection 11, though they may of course be formed separately of the conduit and the flange if desired Suitably coiu'iected, us by bolts 12, to the usual lug B of the our coupler, I provide a blfiCzIEil or base D the lower end of which viewed from the front or rear, has the general outline oi 9.. capital T, the cross or overhanging portions 13 and 14 of which form a boss or shoulder with which the members or straps 10 contact to preventundue rotetion of the conduit 8 and the members 10 about the longitudinal axis, ofthe conduit In this manner the proper positioning of the pipe or hollow body E, comprising the aforesaid conduit 8 and the members 10 and the dance 11, with respect to the bracket is efliciently effected, and inasmuch as the coupling head A is rigidly connected with the forward end of the conduit 8, it is also by the some means properly positioned with respect to the bracket. The vertically ere tending section 15 of the T shaped portion of the bracket, is provided with a threaded perforation 16 preferably disposed on the vertical centre of the bracket, shown particularly in Figures 2 and. 5. As appears in Figures 1 and 5, the brucketD extends from above the members or straps 10 downwardly between such members, and the flange 11 is provided with a perforation 1'? serving to receive a boss 18 formed on the rear face of the portion 15 of the bracket. At the rear of the conduit 8 and between the forward ends of the members 10 I provide an annular bearing 18', -and into the threaded opening 16 of the bracket I edjustubly mount as by threads, as shown, a pivot device 19 having a suitably shaped open.- ing 20, Figure 3, formed therein to receive a wrench for adjusting "the pivot device forward or backward in said device. The forward end of the pivot device is provided with a, ball shaped or spherical portion 21 lying between the members 10 end proiterebly on the horizontal centre line thereof. This pivot device may be of any desired material. but '1 preferably construct it of a material having-e different frictional coefiiciency from that of the member or sent 22 pivotolly mounted upon it.- The memher or seat 22 is provided with an annular bearing 23 for receiving a.- spring. This member or plate also lies between the members or. straps i0 and is supported thereon by lugs or projections 24 and 25 which extend from the member or plate 22 and spun liii the straps 10 as shown particularly in Fig ures l and. 4. Between the plate 22 and upon the bearing 18 at the forward end of the straps l0, and the bearing 23 of the plate, is mounted a spiral buiier spring F. which serves to extend and support the coupling head A forward of the bracket 1) wit the tin.

flange ll normally engaging the rear face of the bracket. It will be observed from the drawings that the spring is maintained intheproper position by the aforesaid bearings l5 and 23, and the lugs 24 and 25 engaging the straps 10, in cooperation with the ball and socket connection between the plate 22 and'the pivot device 19. In this manner the several parts are maintained in their proper relative position, the ball and socket connection aforesaid serving to support the pipe or body E nd the parts carried by it,

screwed forward until the buffer spring F i is under the initial compression necessary to draw the flange 11 into sullicicntly rigid contact with the rear face of the bracket 1) as to maintain the coupling head A properly projected forward of the bracket and yieldingly supported in the normal horizontal position.

This construction PIOdUCBs'ZL simple and eilicient improved train pipe coupling support in which the coupling head A is supported for free universal movement relative to the bracket, the universal joint formed by the plate 22 and the pivot device 19 permitting of such movement and being adjustably mounted on the lower end of the bracket and constituting the means by which the spring F is placed under the required initial compression.

Should it for any reason he desired to provide means,'in addition to the connection between the members 19 and 22, f0r-supporting the hollow body E on the bracket the same may behad by providing the lower end of the section 15 with latterally extending projections or lugs shown at 9 and 10 in Figures 3 and 4 of my co-pending appli-, cation for improvements in automatictrain pipe connectors, filed December 2nd, 1919, and bearing Serial No. 341,887. \Vith such a construction the hollow body E could not fall from. the bracket in eventthe plate 22 should become broken.

What I claim is:

1. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling head and a supporting bracket therefor, of a universal joint carried in front of the lower end of the bracket and adjustable longitudinally therein.

2. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination with a coupling head and a suitable supporting bracket therefor, of a spring for extending said head, arranged in front of said bracket, and a universal joint carried by said bracket and adjustable longitudinally therein to compress said spring.

3. In an automatic train pipe couphng, the combination with a coupling head and a suitable supporting bracket therefor having an opening in its lower end, of a spring to place the head under pressure, and a universal joint comprising ball and socket membersone of which is mounted in the openin in said bracket for adjustment therein to compress said spring.

4. In an automatic the combination with a coupling head and a. suitable supporting bracket therefor having an opening in its lower end, of a spring to place the head under pressure, and a universal joint comprising ball and socket members oneof which is threadingly mounted in the opening in said bracket for adjustment therein to compress said sprinm 5. In an automatic train plpe coupling, the combination of a coupling head, a bracket, spaced members secured to said head train pipe coupling,

and extending rearward on opposite sides of said bracket, a flange secured to said members for engaging the rear face of the bracket, a pivot device rigidly mounted on said bracket intermediate the vertical sides thereof and adjustable toward and from said head, a plate arranged between said mom'- bersand engaging said pivot device and also engaging said s acecl members, and a coiled spring arrange between said members and bearing against said plate.

6. In'an automatic train pipe coupling, in combination a bracket, a coupling head arranged infront of said bracket, a pivot device mounted on said bracket and adjustable toward and from said head, a pair of spaced members secured to said head and extending rearwardly. past said bracket, a plate arranged between said members and engaging said pivot device, and a coiled, spring arlranged between said members and positioned between said pivot device and said head.

- 7 In an automatic train pipe coupling, a

bracket having a pivot device rigidly and adjustably scoured thereto and extending forwardly beyond the front face thereof, and the front end of said pivot device having a rounded surface, a plate. engaging the rounded surface of said pivot device, a coupling head, supporting means connected to said head and engaging the rear face of said bracket, and a coiled spring for normally maintaining said plate in engagement with said pivot device and said supporting means in engagement with the rear face of said bracket. 7

8. In an automatic pipe coupling, a

esaese bracket, a couplinghead arranged in front of said bracket, a pivot device rigidly secured to said bracket and adjustable therein toward and from said head, a plate engaging said pivot device, a hollow body connected to said head and extending rear ardly of said bracket and engaging the rear face thereof, and a coiled spring for maintaining said plate in engagement with said pivotdevice and the said hollow body in engagement with the rear face of the bracket 9. In an automatic train pipe coupling. the combination of a. coupling head, a bracket, spaced member. secured to said head and attending remvvardl v on opposite sides of said bracket, a flange secured to said members for engaging the rear face. of the bracket, an adjustable pivot device rigidly mounted on said bracket, a seat bearing against said pivot device and universally movable relative thereto, a coiled spring arra g'ed between said spaced members and bearing atone end against said seat and serving to support said coupling head in :tront of said bracket.

10. in an automatic train pipe coupling, in combination, a bracket, a coupling head arranged in front of said bracket, a pivot device mounted on said bracket and adjustable toward and from-said head, a pair of spaced members secured to said head and ex tending rearvvardly past said bracket, a

spring seat arranged between said members and engaging said pivot device, and a coiledspring arranged between said members and positioned between said seat and said head.

11. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the. combination of a coupling head, a bracket having a portion adjustably attached to its front face and provided with a curved surface, spaced members secured to said head and extending rearwardly on opposite sides of said bracket, a flange secured to said ing from said head rearvvardly and spanning said bracket, said bracket having a j 'rtion adjustably mounted on its lower end provided with a curved seat, a movable seat adapted to engage sa d first mentioned seat,

said movable seat being arranged Within said member in front of said bracket and engaging said first mentioned seat and a spring arranged between said movableseat and said head for yieldingly projecting the head in front of the bracket.

In tOSblmOIIyfWhGI'GOf I- hereby afiix my signature.

- JOSEPH noenvson. 

